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As Berlin Celebrates Wall Anniversary, Cold War Foes Rearm

Henry Ridgwell

   BERLIN - Germany is preparing to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the
   fall of the Berlin Wall Saturday.

   Built in 1961 by the Communist government of East Germany, the wall was
   meant to stop the flood of its citizens fleeing to the West. Hundreds
   were shot dead trying to run across the frontier. On the night of Nov.
   9, 1989, tens of thousands of people breached the wall and tore it
   down, seen as a key moment in the demise of the Soviet Union.

   Video projections, art displays and concerts have been taking place all
   week in the capital. Next to the Brandenburg Gate, which formed part of
   the frontier between East and West, American artist Patrick Shearn has
   installed a huge wave of colorful paper strands, bearing the
   handwritten messages from people across Germany.

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